Lying under the bed where the three girls were, I listened to their conversation, remaining unnoticed, and reflected.
— Azula, please, tell us how you met? — I heard Ty Lee's pleading voice again, feeling the girl get closer to the princess, probably looking at her with very endearing eyes.
— It can wait until tomorrow—however, Azula stoically overcame the treacherous attempts at persuasion from her friends.
— No, it can't—Lee replied in a whimsical tone. — We're curious; we won't be able to fall asleep until we get answers! Mai, back me up!
— I agree with Ty Lee—I heard the calm voice of the princess's second friend, who was also sitting on the bed.
— Alright, alright. I feel like you won't leave me alone if I don't tell you everything here and now—the princess said in a tired voice, as if she hadn't intended to tell her friends anything, but they had convinced her. Azula probably had already decided what to tell them and what not to.
— Exactly! — the acrobat responded happily.
— It's a long story. Where should I start?
— From the moment you met, of course!
And yet, left alone with her friends, Azula began to behave completely differently. She didn't act so relaxed with her servants, me, or anyone else. Many of the things Ty Lee did were unacceptable for everyone else. Of course, being a "boogeyman" hiding under the bed, I couldn't see their gestures very well. However, in this case, it was enough to hear the tone of Ty Lee's voice to imagine her with wide eyes asking Zula about me in a pleading tone. Mai, although she remained calm, also showed interest in my person, supporting her friend. In addition, I still had the vision of auras, so I could well finish the picture with my imagination.
And, nevertheless, Azula decided to keep many things quiet. In our relationship, there were many conflicts that neither of us wanted to remember. Therefore, the girls were given a lighter version, which omitted our attempts to kill each other. The story turned out to be short, but now Ty Lee and Mai consider us something like partners who pursue common goals. In general, that was the case. I help her become stronger, she helps me in my spiritual affairs. The princess did not talk about my desire to have a human body and about my obsession.
After the friends had a good discussion about me, they began to remember their past. Azula's friends shared what they had been doing since their last meeting. At the same time, they discussed news, relatives, food, achievements, cosmetics, and, of course, training and military operations... Truly, women can talk almost infinitely without noticing how time flies. They went to bed closer to dawn. This fact surprised them greatly. In conversation, the girls completely forgot about the time.
I was no longer particularly interested in their further conversation, so I stopped listening, engrossed in my thoughts about chakras, auras, and how to get my body back as soon as possible. The longing for full-fledged emotions was getting stronger, not to mention purely male desires, which only became brighter with the appearance of Azula's friends. The nighttime, when Azula gave me her body, already seemed so fleeting. I wanted more, much more. However, I had doubts that the princess would allow me to indulge in debauchery with her body; it could ruin our fragile relationship. And yet, I never stopped wanting more.
Mai's slap gave me some interesting thoughts about my own embodiment and the return of a full range of emotions. I, of course, still hadn't stopped my training in this direction, but after certain successes, I had run into a wall and couldn't do anything about it. I could interact with the world, the world could interact with me, but the feelings remained greatly dulled. This had both advantages—I literally didn't feel pain—and disadvantages. I didn't feel pleasure either, as well as a number of other positive emotions. And no matter how hard I tried to change this state of affairs, it was not in my power.
After the girls finally deigned to go to sleep, I returned to my training, having previously recharged with energy from Azula. She was still my personal battery. The girl didn't object, not noticing any outflow of strength. I didn't need sleep, unlike them, and I could work twenty-four/seven. Only my mind got tired, since my body was absent.
Time passed, but I still hadn't achieved success. I was still treading water, not understanding what I was doing wrong, and if I was doing anything wrong at all? For progress, a conversation with an older and more experienced spirit would not hurt. But there were no such individuals nearby. There was, of course, the owl in her library, located in the desert, but it would take too long and be tedious to look for it. And I don't want to part with Azula, and I don't know how to get to the spirit world, except by using special places with a rich spiritual background. The dream of becoming alive again was becoming more and more desirable, but its fulfillment was still so far away…
The energy in my training quickly came to an end; I needed to recharge, so I returned to the hotel to the girls. They were already awake.
— The bathroom is free! — Ty Lee happily announced, entering the bedroom.
— Lee, you were the last to take a bath—Mai calmly noted, sitting relaxed on a chair and looking out the window with boredom.
— Right! Oh! Yoaru, good morning! Where were you last night? We talked a lot about you. I have so many questions for you! — the girl spoke in a friendly way, coming out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around her body, but was immediately interrupted by her friend's cold voice.
— Yoaru…—Mai's voice subtly changed, becoming icy from indifferent. — He was here the whole time?
— Huh? I don't know; I didn't see him when I went into the bathroom—the acrobat replied in surprise, not understanding the reason for her friend's anger.
— I was here long enough to see her change—I explained to Ty Lee, smiling and lying on the bed, not taking my eyes off Mai.
— Oh…—the surprise on Ty Lee's face slowly gave way to understanding, and then to outright shock. The girl continued in a tone of complete disappointment: — What about personal space? Is this some kind of joke to you?
— Hmm…—The girl shifted her displeased gaze to the place where Ty Lee was looking, — I see—the girl said briefly, beginning to calm down.
After all, the girl was smart; she quickly figured everything out. From her friend's reaction, she understood not only what I had answered but also where I was. However, it wasn't difficult with such an emotional friend as Ty Lee. The melancholic Mai could only accept it.
— You can't just ignore personal space like that. It's just rude! No manners at all! Were you spying on me too?! — pouting and placing her hands on her hips, the acrobat was angry, looking at me with disapproval.
— No. I just settled here when Mai was in the shower, and I was too lazy to leave. And what man would refuse such a sight performed by beautiful girls?—I said to the indignant girl, with a slight smile.
— Hmm! That's… that's… I'm just speechless! — all Ty Lee could do was gasp, she was so shocked by my audacity.
— In any case, I am here to talk about something important. Please, call Azula—however, despite my words, there was no need to call anyone. Attracted by the gymnast's voice, the princess herself appeared in our room.
— What's going on? Yoaru?—golden eyes swept across the room, looking at Ty Lee wrapped in a towel, the frowning Mai sitting on a chair by the window, and, of course, at me, lying on one of the beds.
Ty Lee quickly ran across the room, hiding behind her friend's back.
— Azula! This scoundrel was spying on us! Explain to him that he can't do that! — peeking at me from behind the princess's shoulder, the acrobat changed her indignation to the triumph of retribution. Which was clearly evidenced by her malicious smile.
Zula threw another glance at me, rolled her eyes, sighed, and turned to her friend hiding behind her back.
— You'll get used to it—placing a hand on Ty Lee's shoulder, the princess comforted her friend.
— O-oh
From such comfort, Ty simply opened her mouth and widened her eyes, looking at the princess as if she were a new avatar. I quietly chuckled at this; what a funny girl she was. Mai also watched the acrobat's performance; how could one not watch? Lee continued to glance from me to Azula, until the princess moved away from her, settling on another chair.
— Yoaru. You came quite early—the princess noted, addressing me calmly.
— Zula, we need to discuss the further route of our journey—I stated the reason for my next unexpected appearance, becoming serious.
— I'm listening…
After that, we began to discuss the future options for our journey. But Lee was still attracting attention, distracting us from the important conversation. Azula quickly found a use for the girl, reminding her that she was traveling with us and needed to say goodbye to the circus and pack her things for the trip. Using her charisma and the power of her words, the princess quickly made the acrobat forget about the recent conflict and leave the hotel with a smile. We were left almost alone to discuss our further path.
I wanted to find the lost library, which is in the desert. However, the path to the desert by land is blocked by enemy territories, which are ruled by King Bumi. There were many difficulties in this, and Azula's official task was an inspection, not a search for myths in the desert. Unnecessary questions might arise from unnecessary people. And the chances of finding the library are extremely small. And even if we do find it, it's not a fact that the local owner will want to cooperate with us. In general, after talking a little with the princess, it was decided to continue inspecting the colonies, and at the same time, begin to look for any information about the library. After all, there was still too much time before the next appearance of the Mother of Faces.
The conversation was coming to an end; Azula went with Mai to finish her inspection, and I continued my training, once again, raping my memory for anything useful. The longing for carnal pleasures was getting stronger.
This day passed for me in thoughts and reflections on my future plans, as well as in futile attempts to embody myself in the world as a full-fledged person. The team was assembled, which means it was time to return to the ideas that Azula and I had discussed. Alas, there was too much time until the next appearance of the Mother of Faces, and the only goal close to us was the lost library. It probably had a lot of interesting things, but it would be almost impossible to get to it. However, I remembered that in the future, the Fire Nation would have airships; with their help, it would be much easier to find the lost library in the desert than by moving on the ground.
But Zula knew nothing about such things and had not heard of them; they probably hadn't been invented yet. And it's not a very good option to rely on airships, which appeared only at the end of the story with Aang. We need to act differently, but how? Alas, I never managed to find an answer to this question.
The day was coming to an end, tired of flying over the city's rooftops, I went in search of Azula. The desired girl was found in the Mayor's house. After watching her and her friends, who were still with her, for a while, I noticed that she was already finishing all her business in this colony, listening to oral reports from her subordinates. Who had previously been sent to collect information. The acrobat also managed to finish all her business in one day. This was evidenced by the not-so-small backpacks with the girl's personal belongings.
In Yu Dao, we did everything we had planned; it was time to move on. After a while, Azula finished her inspection, and it was time to say goodbye. A small ceremony, performed according to all the rules of etiquette. Eavesdropping on other people's conversations, I quickly learned about the events that I had missed.
During my absence, the mayor's daughter managed to make friends with Ty Lee. Both girls were sad to part. From their conversation, I understood that Azula had not changed her decision. The princess decided not to take just anyone into her retinue, nor to help the girl in any way to join the army. However, judging by the happy farewell of Kori, Zula had found a way to use the girl's enthusiasm.
On the way to the ship, one funny incident happened with our small squad.
— Huff. Ugh. Huff…—one of the soldiers who had been ordered to carry the things of a pretty gymnast was breathing heavily. There were three of them in total; each had identical backpacks, but only one of them was puffing and straining, while the others were more resilient.
The way to the princess's ship was not short, and the things were surprisingly heavy. Although he moved at the same speed as the others, not slowing down the squad, the man did so with great difficulty and puffed so that everyone in the squad could hear him. I think many at this time were wondering what the princess's friend had collected in that backpack that it was so difficult for him to carry. Some even joked behind his back. And Azula was already looking at the unfortunate man with an unkind gaze, and that's when Ty Lee decided to take matters into her own hands.
— Mister, I would like to use my cosmetics; could you please give me my backpack—Ty Lee addressed one of the men carrying her things, who was having the hardest time, kindly.
— Ugh. Huff. Yes, of course—the soldier answered with difficulty, handing his burden to the girl. After doing this, he began to stretch his back; carrying this load was a heavy burden for him.
— Thank you—the acrobat deftly hung the backpack on her front, beginning to rummage through her things. The girl did not show any effort, carrying the heavy-looking backpack. Taking out her cosmetics, she pretended to primp.
— There's only a little left; I'll carry my things to the cabin. Thank you for your help—the girl said with a charming smile, putting her mini cosmetic bag back.
— Yes. You're. You're welcome—the man answered, embarrassed, and did not even think of asking for the burden back.
The entire squad was watching this performance, and especially the girl's friends. The walk was by no means short, and it was crystal clear to the girls that the former circus performer felt sorry for the man, taking her things back. At the same time, she arranged everything in such a way as not to hurt the soldier's honor and the man's pride. Ty Lee, she is much more cunning than she might seem at first glance. Not to mention the girl's anomalous strengths. She carried her things to the ship without even sweating, and that path was much longer than the one the soldier had carried the burden. This was probably the result of her open chakras or amazing energy, along with a pronounced life energy. Later, I found out that there were heavy kettlebells in that backpack, which the girl probably used for training.
In general, the princess left Yu Dao on a good note.